ASEAN Rare Disease Network Established

Brings together patient support groups from across Asia to mobilize care and management strategies

Participating countries will work together to roll out the Rare Disease Impact Study across the region

The first ASEAN+ Rare Disease Network has been established, bringing together patient support groups from across Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam) and Hong Kong. The mission of this Network is to better understand the needs of rare disease patients and their caregivers in the region, in order to identify areas for improvement and mobilize community involvement and humanitarian solutions. Rainbow Across Borders (RAB), a regional patient support group alliance, served as a catalyst towards the establishment of this Network.

The Network will undertake programs to understand the impact of rare diseases in the region as well as plan and coordinate annual rare disease programs for both patients and caregivers. As one of their first initiatives, the Network will work together to roll out the Rare Disease Impact Study across the region. The pilot phase of the study was conducted in Singapore between July to December 2016, and involved 152 patients and caregivers across a wide range of rare diseases particular to the country.

Rajakanth R. Executive Director of RAB and Kenneth Mah, Vice President of Rare Disorders Society Singapore posing with the commitment board of signatures from members of the ASEAN+ Rare Disease Network. Image Source : Rainbows Across Borders

Rajakanth R., Executive Director of RAB said: “The aim of the Impact Study is to better understand the needs of rare disease patients and their caregivers that will ultimately catalyze strategic solutions for the management and care of rare disease patients and their families across the region. Once we collate the data from around the region, we hope to be able to speak as one voice and form a coordinated and collaborative care plan.”

Alison Chang, Project Director of the ASEAN+ Rare Disease Network said: “With all the participant countries coming together to form this Network, the rare disease community is now more unified. These collaborative efforts are vital to rare disease patients and their supporters to drive even greater advocacy efforts.”

The Network comprises Yayasan MPS dan Penyakit Langka Indonesia, Department of Genetics at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, We CARE Journey, Philippines Society for Orphan Disorders, Muscular Dystrophy Association Singapore, Rare Disorders Society Singapore, Hong Kong Alliance for Rare Disorders, Hong Kong Mucopolysaccharidoses & Rare Genetic Diseases Mutual Aid Group and Vietnam Women’s Union. At the kick-off meeting, participants shared their respective country initiatives in conjunction with Rare Disease Day. The Network, which will also be organizing the 3rd Rare Disease Asia Conference that will be held in Bangkok in 2018, hosted their first planning session for the conference. The Network will connect every three months.

Apart from patient support groups, RAB and the ASEAN+ Rare Disease Network also work together with community partners including Shire, a leading global biotechnology company focused on serving people with rare diseases and other highly specialized conditions.

About ASEAN+Rare Disease Network

The ASEAN+ Rare Disease Network comes together as a working team to undertake programs to understand the impact of rare diseases in the region as well as plan and coordinate annual rare disease programs for both patients and caregivers. For more information about the ASEAN+ Rare Disease Network, please contact Rainbow Across Borders at http://www.rabasia.org/contact_us.

About Rainbow Across Borders (RAB)

Rainbow Across Borders (RAB) aims to improve the quality of life of, and give dignity to, patients and families challenged by chronic or life-threatening illnesses. RAB is Asia’s first regional patient support group alliance, which promotes regional collaboration and networking among patient support organizations. RAB aims to empower patient support organizations through appropriate programs, services and training, while facilitating learning and experience exchange among the RAB affiliates.

WorldThroughMyEyes.org.sg is a platform developed by RAB, aimed at energizing and increasing awareness about various chronic illnesses prevalent in Asia, by empowering the voice of patients and caregivers. World Through My Eyes is a collaborative effort that involves numerous patient support organizations and groups from more than 8 countries across Asia. Via this platform, RAB hopes to enhance online advocacy efforts and bring forward the patient voice by sharing patient and caregiver stories on challenges, triumphs, hopes and dreams.

Manish graduated in Biomedical Sciences from University of Delhi, India and finished his doctorate from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore in RNA biology while working on molecular mechanisms of brain development in mice.
Currently, he is working as a Research Fellow in Institute of Medical Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) with the Translational Control in Development and Disease group. His research areas include developing molecular therapies against glioblastomas and breast cancers as well as investigating mechanisms involved in muscular dystrophies.
He is a music lover and loves playing the sitar. An ardent follower of Manchester United and Formula One, he likes to spend his time reading, watching movies and cooking.